It’s been said “what you give to your community, your community will give back to you.” There’s a lot of truth to this. I’d go one step further and say, “your involvement in the community will harvest involvement with your business.” Local Store Marketing is about reaching out, making connections, building relationships, and offering something of value to particular segments. Let’s take schools for example. We’re going to assume you have one or two fundraising programs that you make available to schools, clubs, groups, and organizations. If not, we encourage you to think about developing them.
The savvy local store marketer not only uses tools available to them, but they know how to quickly find the decision maker.
Since we all have schools in our trade areas that could use some assistance with fundraising, here are the decision makers – plus a few extra marketing ideas for getting your product in the hands of potential customers.
Elementary and Middle Schools
· Talk with the school and ask if you could sample product at parent/teacher meetings. Do you have pizza, coffee, tea, or ice cream that you could serve in small sample sizes to parents and teachers for a one or two-hour window at least one night each quarter?
· Ask the school about the Parent/Teacher Organization and the person in charge of fundraising. Find out if you could meet the fundraising chairman and share your fundraising programs with them.
· Visit the school’s front office and give the office staff and teachers a coupon and fundraising information. Lots of teachers around the country could use assistance with school supplies.
High Schools
· Visit the front office and ask about student organizations and the teacher advisor. Ask if you could provide fundraising information to the different groups (some schools will have over 50 organizations!).
· Do you have a product that is teenager-friendly (like pizza or burritos)? What about selling product at high school games and giving a portion of the proceeds back to the physical education department?
· Private schools will have active Alumni Associations. Find the president of the association and talk with them about your fundraising opportunities.
Have the courage to make that first visit and talk with the front office. One way to open doors is to bring some free product with you. Who could turn away free samples and a smile?!
The savvy local store marketer not only uses tools available to them, but they know how to quickly find the decision maker.
Since we all have schools in our trade areas that could use some assistance with fundraising, here are the decision makers – plus a few extra marketing ideas for getting your product in the hands of potential customers.
Elementary and Middle Schools
· Talk with the school and ask if you could sample product at parent/teacher meetings. Do you have pizza, coffee, tea, or ice cream that you could serve in small sample sizes to parents and teachers for a one or two-hour window at least one night each quarter?
· Ask the school about the Parent/Teacher Organization and the person in charge of fundraising. Find out if you could meet the fundraising chairman and share your fundraising programs with them.
· Visit the school’s front office and give the office staff and teachers a coupon and fundraising information. Lots of teachers around the country could use assistance with school supplies.
High Schools
· Visit the front office and ask about student organizations and the teacher advisor. Ask if you could provide fundraising information to the different groups (some schools will have over 50 organizations!).
· Do you have a product that is teenager-friendly (like pizza or burritos)? What about selling product at high school games and giving a portion of the proceeds back to the physical education department?
· Private schools will have active Alumni Associations. Find the president of the association and talk with them about your fundraising opportunities.
Have the courage to make that first visit and talk with the front office. One way to open doors is to bring some free product with you. Who could turn away free samples and a smile?!
